by Frank Kanyesigye
KIGALI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Motorcyclist Jean Nepomucene Murangwa was busy spraying hand sanitizer on a piece of cloth before wiping the motorcycle helmet that was used to protect passengers before passing it to the next customer.
"I am lucky to be among the first motorists to receive the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. I feel happy and safe because I believe I won't be able to get COVID-19 infection from possible infected passengers," Murangwa told Xinhua on Friday.
The 39-year-old received the vaccine last week at Gikondo expo-grounds in Kicukiro district in the Rwandan capital Kigali.
"Before I got vaccinated, I was worried about getting an infection because the risks were high. I meet many passengers on the daily basis and I can't tell who is COVID-19 positive or not," he said. "After getting the vaccine, now, I feel quite safe and confident."
The COVID-19 pandemic had brought many challenges to his business because he spent months at home due to the lockdown that had been previously imposed by the government to contain the spread of the virus.
Murangwa, who continued observing COVID-19 preventive measures despite getting vaccinated, explained that the vaccine helps him focus on daily business of transporting passengers so that he can get enough income to support the family of two children and a wife.
Market vendors also breathed a sigh of relief after being inoculated.
"I usually wake up as early as 5 a.m. daily to vend vegetables such as cabbages, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower in Kimironko market, but the worry to become infected with COVID-19 affected my business because sometimes I would not go to the market for at least three days in a week," Yvonne Mukeshimana told Xinhua at her stand in Kimironko market in the capital city.
The 52-year-old is seen eating raw lemon fruit while busy serving one of her customers with four kilograms of spinach, at a very busy vegetable stand within the market.
"My job faces high risks of getting infection. I thank the government of Rwanda for choosing me to be among the priority groups of people to receive the vaccine," said Mukeshimana, who meets about 50 clients per day and expects raw lemons could boost her immunity.
"I am sure we will be able to cover the losses we made during the lockdown," said fruit vendor Theogene Niyomugabo.
As of Thursday, the country has administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines to a total of 323,744 people in the country, according to the Rwandan ministry of health daily update.
"Our wish is to see the majority of Rwandans get vaccinated. We are continuing to mobilize for resources to acquire additional vaccines," Sabin Nsanzimana, Director General of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, told Xinhua in a telephone interview on Friday. Enditem
